News this week that the former UCOL Fitness Centre is to get a new lease of life as a gym operated under the management of Sport Wanganui and the Tupoho Whanau Trust should be pleasing for all involved.
By all accounts, the gym was exceedingly popular back in its operating days,
so this decision is one which is likely to be met with delight by many.
Also worthy of note is the management model that has been adopted to allow the gym to function once again.
As reported in yesterday's Wanganui Chronicle, Sport Wanganui and the Tupoho Whanau Trust have formed the Inspire Whanganui Trust in order to run the St Hill St facility.
The new arrangement is considered to be possibly the first time a mainstream and Maori organisation have joined together to manage a shared project in Wanganui.
If so, it's indicative of what is likely to become a more common arrangement in the future, as Maori organisations in particular become more involved with these sorts of deals.
The Tupoho Whanau Trust has leased the facility for two three-year terms, or until the Whanganui iwi receives its treaty settlement. The complex is part of the tribe's land claim.
Talk by Ken Mair, one of the trustees, that future decisions about the fitness centre would be made on a consensus basis, is also encouraging.
